William h



(No Model;)

W. H. TORBEGK.

GOFPIN PASTENER. v

8 81- PatentedJune 5, '1888.

the fastener.

UNITED STATES PATENT QFFIGE.

WILLIAM H. TORBEOK, OF RICHMOND, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR TO THE J. M. HUTTON & COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

COFFlN-FASTENER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 384,181, dated June 5, 1888.

Application filed March 13, 1888. Serial No. 267,039.

,To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that LWILLIAM H. TORBEOK, a citizen of the United States, residing atRichmond, in the county of WVayne and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coffin-Fasteners; and I do declare the following to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same, reference beinghad to the accompanying drawings,

and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon, which form a part of this specification.

My invention relates to that class of devices which are used in securing the tops of coffins or burial-cases, so that the same may be readily secured in place or removed at will.

The object of the invention is to provide a simple and inexpensive coffin-fastener which will be efficient and positive in operation, and the principal working parts of which will .be concealed within thebody of the casket.

To these ends, and to such others as the invention may relate, the same consists in the peculiar combinations and in the novel construction, arrangement, and adaptation of parts, all as more fully hereinafter described, shown in the accompanying drawings, and then specifically defined in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan, and Fig. 2 a bottom plan, view of Fig. 3 is a longitudinal section on line 3 3 of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a plan view of the lock-plate, the same being shown in position in the upper edge of the coffin-body. Fig. 5 is a transverse section through a portion of a coffin, in which the mode of attaching the parts by the use of my fastener is shown. Fig. 6 is a bottom plan View of the parts attached. 7

Reference being had to the details of the drawings, A is a metallic plate forming the body of the fastener.

B is the shank, which is journaled in a central opening formed in the plate A, and is provided at a point near its lower end with a lug or projection, O. The upper face of the plate A is provided with a boss, D, surround ing the central opening through which the (No model.)

central rotatable shank 13 passes. The boss D is provided at one of its sides with an upwardly-extending lug, E, notched at one of its sides, as shown at F, to receive the bent or hooked end of a coiled spring, G, the opposite end of the spring being secured to the shank at a point near its upper end, as shown.

His an arm, one end of which is secured to the body of the shank within the cut-away portion I upon the lower face of the plate A, the outer end of this arm being provided with a suitable handle, J.

K is the lock plate, secured in the upper edge of the coffin-body. This plate is provided with a central opening, L, for the reception of the lower end of the shank B, as will be readily understood.

From the foregoing description the operation of the fastener will be readily understood. The plate A is set into the lower edge of the coffin-cover, so that its lower face will be flush with the face of the edge of the cover, and the lock-plate K is secured in the upper edge of the body of the coffin at a point corresponding with the position of the plate A upon the cover. The cover of the coffin being placed in position upon the body of the coffin, the lower end of the shank B enters the central opening, L, in the plate K, and the shank is partly turned bythe spring G, so as to cause the lug 0 upon its lower end to engage the lower face of the plate at one side of the opening, and the parts are thus secured in position. When it is desired to remove the cover, the lug 0 may be readily disengaged from the plate K by means of the handle J, as will be at once understood.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim to be new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, isi 1. The combination, with the plate A, having segmental cut-away portion I, of the shank rotatably secured in said plate and having an arm working in said cut-away portion, and

provided with a handle, the slotted plate, and 9 the spring acting on said shank, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

2. The combination, with the plate A, having upon one side'a central boss, D, and the notched lug 1*], and upon the other side the segmental cut-away portion I, of the shank In testimony whereof Iaffix my signaturein rotatably secured in said plate and projecting presence of two witnesses. through said boss, the arm on said shank Working in said cutaway portion, and the IO spring having one end secured in the notch of \Vitnesses:

said lug and the otherend secured to the shank, M. H. DILL, substantially as and for the purpose specified. GEO. R. WInLIAMs.

WILLIAM H. TORBECK. 

